I love movies, I love watching them on the big screen. But I'm discovering a whole world of amazing little family and community owned cinemas around NSW. This is because the NSW government encourage communities to own and revamp their local cinemas. In the bush and rural areas cinema is a great place to bump into people and share an experience. To be taken on a journey to another world, to see images flickering and music swelling up, to sit in the dark transfixed by story. To leave your own bedraggled life behind for a time and disappear into the darkened room laughing and crying with strangers.We have traveled three near impossible journeys.One was Luke's journey which those who have seen The Man from Coxs River may agree was a saga of Herculean proportions.The second was the journey to get the film finished. Lost in wilderness with only ourselves (and a few indiegogo supporters) we crafted our own film with no interference from a broadcaster or Government office or a corporate entity .Now we have embarked on the final act - can we get this film out into the cinemas in front of the general public???We seem to be doing amazingly well. It must be beginners luck. We have over 31 screenings booked around NSW.We find a family owned or community owned cinema and call them up. Lovely quirky little rooms of historical significance run by people who care about the preservation of this art.These people are people you can share your enthusiasm with. Who know Fellini from floss, Hitchcock from hyperbole.Check out some of these great cinemas here.The exhibition of films seems to have changed little from when Charles Chauvel was desperately using all his showman skills to try and compete with the deluge of American product.

Last night we had our first unsolicited inquiry. It was we hope a turning point.Who wants to experience our uniquely Australian independent documentary in the vintage cinema in their town???

Cant wait to see it soon somewherei hope. Very important issue -
Great that this film has been made. Good luck with it to all involved in the production.
Cheers

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Russell

4/12/2014 08:17:14 pm

Thanks Pippa.
Where are you?? We will get there too.

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Anna

4/10/2014 08:22:44 pm

There is nothing more authentic than small enterprise. Theatre, cinema, movie makers, artists, musicians etc. Local instead of multinational corporate gets my vote every time. Look up 'The Economics of Happiness' fabulous movie about the need to transition from multinational corporations to local enterprise

The power of cinema is that it is the greatest "story-telling" medium ever created. It reflects society, as well as shaping society. From Leni Riefenstahl's films to The Man from Cox's River, the influence of film has the potential to change a nation. Daniel Ziv's recent Busan Film Festival winner "Jalanan - Jakarta Street Ballad" has brought about policy changes in the Indonesian government. Let's hope the level-headed wisdom of The Man from Cox's River also seeps into the Australian consciousness.

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Barbara Carseldine

6/29/2014 12:59:57 pm

Caught the film at the Regal Twin Cinema at Graceville, Brisbane, yesterday. Congratulations to all involved, especially to the exhibitors who made yesterday possible. I treated my brother, a 70 something horseman who has only been to the cinema twice in 30 years. He loved it. As did I.

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Russell Kilbey went on the adventure of a lifetime with a bunch of blokes in hats who treated him like an equal even though he fell off his horse a bit.